John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase 2012

2.30 Aintree

John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £42,712

Advice: 1 pt win Silviniaco Conti (15/8 general)

Champion Court: Had the makings of a very useful prospect last season when fourth in last year’s Albert Bartlett; Shown promise over fences, winning well here before then being given too hard a task when trying to give 5lbs to Grands Crus (seems like he needed a longer trip); Disappointing second to Join Together followed up by convincing front running win in Dipper and lost caste in defeat to Sir Des Champs last time out; Needs respecting.

Join Together:  Useful novice hurdler, coming second in Grade 2 before then winning by 20 lengths at Chepstow before disappointing in the Albert Bartlett last year; Unbeaten in two completed starts over fences, winning impressively at Cheltenham on second occasion (beat two decent rivals, one of which has disappointed since); Poor effort in RSA but that his first run in ages and not hard to see him being allowed to lead as he wants around this track; Interesting.

Silviniaco Conti: Extremely promising over hurdles, winning Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle by seven lengths before creditable third in International Hurdle (disappointed afterwards); Needed the run badly on his chasing/seasonal debut at Chepstow but showed that to be all wrong when coming home in his own time at Wincanton (one of only two to complete) before good second (ahead of Bobs Worth) in Feltham; That form reversed when he disappointed at Ascot last time but coughing afterwards while winner and third (RSA Chase winner Bobs Worth, who has improved since) were class acts; Expect a better showing this time around.

Solix: Big reputation thanks to high class French form (Grade 3 winner in convincing style) and didn’t perform without promise on first UK starts in hindsight; Jumped poorly at Ascot but better as race went on, when coming well clear of Duke Of Lucca (winner next time); Error strewn when winning a weak novice chase but much improved since when second (giving 3lbs) to Champion Court; Unable to follow up that form last time but if back to best has chance on the ratings.

Yes Tom: Has decent chase form in Scotland and Ireland (7 & 1/2 lengths behind Four Commanders on one occasion) and then clear cut winner in Scotland; Since beaten at 1/6 and too early to tell what would have happened when falling at Down Royal latest; Needs more.

VERDICT: SILVINIACO CONTI was one of many horses in the Paul Nicholls’ yard affected by coughing when proving a blowout in the Renyoldstown at Ascot. He was only 10 lengths behind Invictus and 7 behind Bobs Worth that day despite putting in a below par effort and if back to form, he should take the beating. He’ll need to be to beat Champion Court after his fine second in the Jewson, while Solix and Join Together could play a hand if bouncing back from below par Cheltenham efforts.